ATHENS – Austria on Monday condemned Israel’s latest move to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
“Austria condemns Israel’s designation of 13 outposts as new settlements in the West Bank, further undermining the prospects for a two-state solution,” Austria’s Foreign Ministry posted on X.
“We urge Israel to reverse this decision and end its illegal settlement policy, which violates international law,” it added.
On Sunday, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a plan to separate 13 settlement outposts from neighboring communities in the occupied West Bank and legalize them.
Palestinian reports estimate that by the end of 2024, approximately 770,000 illegal Israeli settlers were living in 180 settlements and 256 outposts across the occupied territory.
The United Nations considers all Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories illegal under international law and warns that continued expansion threatens efforts for a two-state solution.
ANADOLU, 24.3.2025
